2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 presented a sharp and modern aesthetic, embodying the brand's design language while maintaining its unique character. Its expressive front featured LED headlights and a prominent Singleframe grille, emphasizing width with horizontal elements. The body showcased crisp character lines, and the rear was marked by bold taillights. The plug-in hybrid variant added S-Line trim pieces, enhancing its appearance with standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 maintained a classy and modern look, with a focus on technology without clutter. The interior boasted high-quality materials, including real wood and metal, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen positioned for optimal driver visibility. The second row offered standard leather upholstery, ensuring a luxurious feel throughout.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport adopted a design that combined SUV ruggedness with car-like features, resulting in a unique but somewhat awkward appearance. It shared most of its sheet metal with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than its seven-seat counterpart, maintaining the same wheelbase. Standard LED lighting adorned the exterior, with wheel sizes varying by trim level. The R-Line package added sportier styling elements. Inside, the minimalist design was visually appealing but marred by subpar materials, including rubbery leather and hard plastics. The interior colour scheme lacked contrast, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV enhanced the driving experience by adding 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque to its standard gasoline engine, resulting in a total output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup, combined with a 14.1-kWh battery, provided impressive acceleration, reaching 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. The Q5 PHEV offered a fuel efficiency of 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 km combined, with a gasoline-only rating of 8.8 litres per 100 km. The drivetrain featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission and full-time Quattro AWD, with multiple driving modes for battery management. The Q5's handling was sporty yet comfortable, with minimal body roll and powerful braking.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-litre VR6 engine delivering 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was subpar, with noticeable bumps and pothole impacts, and the cabin allowed wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport's handling was truck-like, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 model had a towing capacity of 2,268 kg, while the four-cylinder variant was limited to 907 kg.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV offered a well-balanced interior space, with 710 litres of cargo capacity behind the second row and 1,503 litres with the seats folded. The second row provided ample legroom, headroom, and shoulder room, accommodating two adults comfortably. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with heating and optional ventilation. The interior featured smartly arranged storage spaces, including cupholders and a centre-console bin.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with generous front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, the sloping roofline compromised rear headroom. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres behind the rear seats and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats offered a 60/40 split-fold and recline feature. The interior included various storage solutions, such as cupholders and a centre console, but the overall design felt less welcoming due to the dark colour scheme.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, along with a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. The interior lighting was customizable, enhancing the cabin's futuristic feel.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the base trim and the MIB3 with an 8-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. The Execline trim featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. However, the MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 gasoline model received top ratings except for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, electronic stability control, and various driver-assistance systems like Audi Pre Sense front and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top IIHS crash test scores, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring, with optional features like adaptive cruise control. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.